The COVID-19 pandemic has presented substantial challenges and concerns for both construction workers and the construction industry as a whole which are beyond the usual occupational conditions and hazards. The industry regularly deals with extreme heat and cold, high elevation, heavy equipment, electrified wires and hazardous chemicals which, when safeguards are disregarded, can result in injury, illness or death. The nature of construction work requires that safety hazards be identified and that safety rules and measures be implemented to prevent on-the-job accidents and incidents that can result in injury, illness, death and damage to property.

To that end, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets and enforces standards concerning worker health and safety. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, OSHA issued guidance on how to assess risk and implement safety protocols on jobsites, which, if complied with, may help to avoid the potential consequences of COVID-19 exposure, including worker illness, jobsite shutdowns, layoffs/furloughs and increased project expenses.